Ranking Exams [2]

Lucian stood on the platform, his sword glinting under the magical light.

The mana constructs surrounding him moved with precision, their motions fluid yet predictable.

Each one resembled a humanoid figure crafted from solid mana, their glowing blue forms radiating power.

The first construct lunged, its energy-laced blade slicing through the air with speed.

Lucian sidestepped with ease, his movements smooth and calculated.

He twisted his wrist, his sword humming faintly as he parried the attack and retaliated with a clean slash through the construct's core.

The figure dissolved into shards of light.

The second and third constructs attacked simultaneously, one from the left and the other from behind.

Lucian didn't hesitate. Activating his Phantom Step Art, he disappeared in a blur, leaving behind a faint afterimage.

He reappeared behind one construct, slicing through it with precision, before spinning on his heel to block the other's strike.

One by one, the constructs fell, each destroyed with minimal effort.

Lucian's mastery of mana and his bloodline ability, Mana Sensory Field, allowed him to predict their movements before they even attacked.

As the final construct dissolved into light, Lucian lowered his sword, his expression calm and focused. The entire battle had taken less than two minutes.

From the examiner's desk, a middle-aged man watched with a mix of intrigue and approval. He leaned back in his chair, stroking his beard thoughtfully.

"Lucian Eryndral," the examiner murmured under his breath, his tone carrying a note of respect. "As expected from the Eryndral lineage... But this level of control at his age is unusual, even for them."

Lucian stepped off the platform, nodding politely to the examiner before exiting the room. He didn't need their praise—his performance was enough to prove his worth.

After the practical exam, Lucian decided to visit the academy's library.

It was renowned for its extensive collection of magical tomes, some dating back to the early days of mana awakening.

The library was a grand structure, with towering shelves filled with books of all sizes and colors.

The faint scent of aged parchment lingered in the air, and the quiet hum of mana-infused lights illuminated the space.

As Lucian browsed through the shelves, his Mana Sensory Field passively picked up a sudden movement behind him. Without turning, he shifted slightly to the side.

Whoosh!

A thick book flew past him, missing his head by mere inches.

"Oh no! I'm so sorry!" a female voice exclaimed.

Lucian turned to see a girl standing nearby, her face flushed with embarrassment. She was holding a stack of books, one of which had evidently slipped from her grasp.

"It's fine," Lucian replied, his tone calm. "No harm done."

The girl placed the books down and walked over, her golden hair catching the light as she moved. "I didn't mean to—wait, you dodged that? You didn't even look!"

Lucian shrugged. "Good instincts, I guess."

She studied him for a moment, then smiled. "You must be pretty talented. I'm Elena. Are you here for the written exam too?"

"Lucian," he replied, omitting his family name. "And yes, I am."

Elena's eyes brightened. "Then we're in the same boat! I was just doing some last-minute reading. The written test this afternoon is supposed to be brutal."

Lucian nodded, though he wasn't particularly concerned. His memories provided him with enough knowledge to handle the exam with ease.

As they talked, Elena suggested they grab lunch together before the test. Lucian agreed, and they found a quiet spot in the academy's dining hall.

While they ate, Elena shared tips for the written exam. "They'll test us on mana theory, spell formation, and the history of mana awakening. Pay extra attention to the section on magical arrays—they always include trick questions."

Lucian listened politely, even though he already knew most of what she was saying. Still, he appreciated her effort.

As they finished their meal, Lucian's Mana Sensory Field picked up a faint disturbance. It was subtle, like the calm before a storm, but it made him uneasy.

"Elena," he said, his tone serious. "Do you feel that?"

She paused, frowning. "Feel what?"

Lucian didn't answer immediately. Instead, he scanned the area, his senses on high alert. The air felt unnaturally still, and there was a faint hum of mana in the atmosphere, almost like a warning.

"I'm not sure," he admitted. "It's probably nothing."

Elena tilted her head, studying him curiously. "You're an interesting one, Lucian."

They left the dining hall and began walking back to the academy for the written exam. The streets were bustling with students, all heading in the same direction.

But just as they reached the main building, the ground beneath them began to tremble.

The faint hum Lucian had sensed earlier erupted into a low, resonant rumble. Windows shattered, and a ripple of panic spread through the crowd.

"Elena, get back!" Lucian shouted, grabbing her arm to steady her as the tremors grew stronger.

The sky above them began to distort, cracks appearing in the fabric of reality itself. Through the tears, a void-like expanse of space became visible, its depths filled with swirling energy.

Lucian's eyes widened as the scene unfolded before him. Whatever was happening, it was far beyond anything he had anticipated.

"Stay close," he told Elena, his voice steady despite the chaos.

She nodded, her expression grim. "What's going on?"

Lucian didn't answer. He didn't have one. Instead, he braced himself for whatever was about to come.